'Game of Thrones' bigger than Sean Bean, says HBO

Warning: This article contains spoilers that some readers may prefer to avoid. Please click here if you wish to continue.

Game of Thrones's recent twist involving Sean Bean has been defended by HBO's programming president.

Bean's lead character Ned Stark was killed off in 'Baelor', the penultimate episode of the season, shocking many viewers who had not read George R.R. Martin's Ice and Fire books, on which the show is based.

Responding to complaints from fans, who said that they felt duped and angered by Bean's departure, HBO programming president Sue Neagle insisted that she "loved" the dramatic twist.

"The book series was filled with unexpected twists and turns. I loved this idea we'd bring together the group of characters, then once you started to believe all the tropes of heroes, you pull the rug out from under them. It's the opposite of feeling manipulated," she told Entertainment Weekly.

"Sean brings a giant following, but Thrones is not just about the promise you're going to see one of your favorite actors week in and week out. The star is the story."

She also defended the heavy use of Bean in promotion for the show, commenting: "Marketing is designed to bring people into something."

Game of Thrones concludes next Sunday at 9pm on HBO in the US, and at 9pm next Monday on Sky Atlantic in the UK.